I am still writing .. albeit not for Athlone any longer. I now manage the Summerhill Stud blog; I am also still writing for the Dubai Racing Club blog.

With best wishes
Katrina

The results of this week's Inglis Weanling Sale have been far from heartening with a decline in the average, clearance and median, and one did have to be astute enough to check the reports of a "record gross" against the numbers (97 more weanlings were catalogued this year than at the same time last year which distorted the figures) BUT the Magic Millions official scribe was a tad evasive of a similar fact when he covered the competitor sale in a report in The Virtual Formguide yesterday. When writing about the Inglis sale Greg Irvine noted that:

"The most alarming statistic was the clearance rate which plummeted from almost 90 per cent last year to not even 80 per cent this time around." [89.9% in 05 to 79.7% in 06]

Absolutely spot on ... but the same analysis did not seem to appear in the equivalent Magic Millions sales report that he penned some weeks earlier.

For the record MM also sold an additional 98 weanlings this year. Yes, they had a much (much) higher average and top price BUT the clearance at the sale was also down significantly and was in fact very similar to Inglis' (82.23% compared to 91% in 2005).

Not sure how we get around these inherent 'biases' occuring. Should journalists perhaps include a statement at the end of a post where there is a potential conflict with someone who is paying them each month stating who else it is that they write for? Might just make it easier to assess the information they present in a more objective way.

One can argue the administrative and quarantine nightmares until the cows come home but the idea certainly has some merit. We need more bold thinking in this Industry to keep people thinking about how to attract more fans to the sport. ESPN carries the story (and idea) penned by US journalist BILL FINLEY today.

Ken Martin's on track for this year's Melbourne Cup even though he isn't a trainer or indeed an owner. Rather Martin is the local sculptor who has won the coveted commission for the bronze of Makybe Diva. Typically it is not a project without its issues (funding and location apparently being numbers 1 & 2 on the list) but nevertheless, come the 2nd November, the mighty mare is expected to be revealed in all her glory in Port Lincoln, the town of her owner Tony Santic.

Full story at the following URL.

The Black Stallion (and Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby series) probably had as much to do with feeding my obsession for horses as did the pint sized ponies at Crafer's Sheok Riding School when I was 4 years old. It was therefore good to see that a school in Arkansas is also committed to introducing horses to its youngsters early in their educational careers.

The Batesville Daily Guard has the full story:

“The Black Stallion,” “Little Black, A Pony” and “Little Black Goes to the Circus,” the storied horses of Walter Farley’s children’s novels, are the books igniting the imaginations of many Arkansas first- and fourth-graders.

The story of a spirited stallion and a teenage boy who learn to rely on each other to survive, and fun adventures of a little black pony are at the center of a literacy program inspiring children to love to read in The Natural State.

The Triple Crown Series may have been marred by its share of misfortune this year. It was also yet another 12 months without a Triple Crown winner. Despite this, 2006 will no doubt hold special memories for 2 brothers in Dubai who celebrated a unique Double.

The Preakness was won by Bernardini owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai and owner of Darley Stud; the Belmont was won by Jazil owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry and owner of Shadwell/Derrinstown Studs).

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Mr Jack DENHAM, Strathfield, NSW. For service to the Australian horse racing industry as a trainer and as a mentor to apprentice jockeys.

Queensland's Sunshine Coast also had cause to celebrate when Buderim resident George Warby was acknowledged for his service to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland after being an integral part in the organisation of the Royal Queensland Show for many years. He also was recognised for his service to horse-racing, having been involved in the Surat Differs Race Club and Dalby Amateur Picnic Race Club.

Well, you have to hand it to Belmont marketing department. With Barbaro in a veterninary hospital and Bernardini in a paddock, they've had to pull out some 'left field' alternatives to promote the third leg of the Triple Crown. Joe Drape's article in yesterday's New York Times "What's the Attraction? It's Still Barbaro" says that giant card signing and World Cup Soccer will be among two of the crowd tempters:

"One of the race's major attractions will be the 62-foot-wide and 7-foot-high "Get Well Soon" card, which will feature four life-size images of Barbaro. Fans will be able to sign the card beginning at 10 a.m. after Barbaro's jockey, Edgar Prado, does so.

ABC/ESPN Sports, which is kicking off a seven-year contract to broadcast the Belmont, will deal with Barbaro's absence early and often on its networks. ABC/ESPN hopes that his absence will be offset by what it calls a marquee day of sports broadcasting."

At this point I could say 'Only in America' but at the risk of offending my North American friends I will (sensibly perhaps) say nothing !

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Something else to note about this year's Belmont - exactly 87 years ago this Sunday (June 11, 1919) Sir Barton won the Belmont Stakes, becoming horse racing's first Triple Crown winner.

Founding chairman of Australian construction firm Multiplex, John Roberts, has died at the age of 73 after a long illness.

Mr Roberts founded Multiplex in Perth in 1962 and it became one of Australia's biggest builders, making bold forays into foreign markets, including the UK.

He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1988 for his contribution to the construction and horse racing industries.

His greatest career highlights were reportedly being awarded the job of building Sydney’s Olympic stadium, a job that led to the $1 billion contract to redevelop the spiritual home of soccer, England’s Wembley stadium. As a result of the contract the company was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange but after the Wembley project ran into serious complications and became embroiled in legal action, stock prices plummeted and Roberts stood down as Chairman. Ironically perhaps, Roberts' death came as Multiplex UK celebrated its win over steel subcontractor Cleveland Bridge UK, whom it had fought in the UK courts over alleged contract breaches on the troubled Wembley Stadium project.

As an interesting aside, an intensely private man, Roberts first interview with the media was given in 1992 (to the Sydney Morning Herald's Kate McClymont) after Multiplex had been operating for a mere 30 years !

There are all number to mention. Here are just a few ...

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Bloodstock has announced a new one million dollar race for all graduates of the 2007 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

The 'Karaka Million' is set to be hosted at the Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie racecourse on the weekend before the Karaka Premier Sale in 2008. In a first for the region, the meeting will be jointly hosted by the six Clubs that form the Northern Cluster: Auckland Racing Club, Avondale Jockey Club, Counties Racing Club, Whangarei Racing Club, Dargaville Racing Club and Pakuranga Hunt Club.

The Karaka Million for two year olds (colts, fillies and geldings) over 1200m will replace the current $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 2YO Classique in 2008, with the last running set for the Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday 3 February for the graduates of the 2006 National Sale.

All yearlings sold at the Premier, Select, Festival and Carnival Sessions of the National Sales in 2007 will be eligible to enter for the Karaka Million in 2008. All starters in the race will get a slice of the pie, with the trainer of the winner, and owner of the yearling at sale time, also sharing the spoils.

The Karaka Million joins the new Karaka Carnival Sale Bonus Race as the two new incentive races for Karaka yearling graduates. In the latter case, graduates of the new Carnival Sale in March will be eligible to enter to win a $100,000 bonus for the first horse home in the Carnival Sale Bonus Race.

HONG KONG

The Hong Kong Jockey Club will increase prizemoney to encourage the introduction of more horses suitable for Class 2 and above to encourage owners to import horses with genuine Class 1 and Group race potential. All existing Premier Class races will be elevated to Group 3 status, raising prize-money from HK$2m to HK$2.3m. Another initiative is a "first win bonus" of HK$400,000 for horses (PPs) successful in Class 2 in their first season, while HK$600,000 will be paid to owners of Class 1 or Group winners. The Club will trial a system starting from 2006-07 in which a Trainer can syndicate one horse among club members per season. The club says that the "Trainer Syndicate" will encourage trainers to develop a client base with the resources to purchase high quality horses in the future and allow Members who were unsuccessful in the ballot for import permits to immediately experience the thrills of racehorse ownership in Hong Kong.

QUEENSLAND

The Queensland Racing Board has announced increases in prizemoney for 2YO and 3YO races at metropolitan meetings from $25,000 to $45,000 commencing on October 1, 2006.

QTIS 2YO and 3YO’s will race for a $30,000 bonus on top of the base prizemoney of $45,000, bringing QTIS metropolitan prizemoney to a minimum of $75,000 for those eligible for the Scheme.

USA BREEDERS CUP

Prizemoney for this year's Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs in Kentucky has been increased to a record $US20 million.

The increases includes an extra $US1 for the Breeders' Cup Classic, taking it from $US4 million to $US5 million to maintain its place as the richest race in the US and second to the Dubai World Cup on the global list.

Each of the eight Breeders' Cup races will offer a minimum of $US2 million.

(NSW) GOLDEN SLIPPER

The 2007 Golden Slipper will be worth $3.5million (up $500,000).

(VICTORIA) MELBOURNE CUP

The 2006 Melbourne Cup prizemoney will be increased to $5 million.

In terms of the Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup I have to agree with Ray Thomas in his article "Post TV War Plea by Trainers".

2006 is the first year since 1983 where no horse will run in all three legs of the Triple Crown in the US.

If you're pro nature vs. nurture and anti cloning then the following story that appeared in today's Age about the success (or lack thereof) of 2 cloned mules in a race in the States may provide some comfort!

Horatio Nelson was Britain's greatest naval hero. His equine namesake was certainly living up to the task of carrying such a famous name, only to have a career of Group One winning glory interrupted on Saturday - and in the worst possible way. The two-time group winning son of Danehill was euthanized after breaking a leg 600 yards from the finish in the English Derby. You could almost hear the stunned silence from the international media who share a role in enticing fans to the sport as they thought "NOW WHAT?" ... not forgetting that it was just two weeks since they had reported on Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattering his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness Stakes.

Sir Percy went on to win the Derby in one of the closest finishes in the 227-year history; just as 2 weeks earlier Bernardini had swept to victory in the Preakness. Deserved victories, yes, but alas they were celebrated in muted tones and in far from ideal circumstances.

Meanwhile the rest of us are left to ponder a jarring fact of racing life - breakdowns - but this time in front of six figure crowds, many of whom are demanding answers.

And why shouldn't they? Our sport competes with (amongst other things) poker and football. These are sports that unfortunately don't have to worry about such factors as the lion hearts of its competitors; albeit hearts balanced atop a combination of bone, tendon and sinew that doesn't always handle the stress placed upon them.

‘Racing Without Borders’ is the theme of the 31st Asian Racing Conference which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from the 21st to the 25th January 2007.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Emirates Racing Authority said, “On behalf of the Emirates Racing Authority, it gives me great pleasure to invite the delegates and visitors from the racing nations around the world to the 31st Asian Racing Conference

“The horse and the sport of horse racing have always been an important part of the culture and heritage of the people of the United Arab Emirates.

“The internationalism of horse racing in the 21st Century is reflected by the theme for the 31st Asian Racing Conference, ‘Racing Without Borders.’ The global positioning of the UAE makes it an ideal location for this gathering of industry leaders to participate in what promises to be an enlightening conference.”

Established in 1960 the Asian Racing Federation consists of 20 member countries who meet every two years with other horse racing bodies and industry participants, at a Conference, recognised as one of the major international gatherings that discusses and shapes the future of Horse Racing.

In keeping with its theme ‘Racing Without Borders’, an expansive conference programme has been designed and will include such topics as: Racing as a Business, Marketing the Sport of Racing and Planning a 21st Century Racecourse.

Lawrence T Wong, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, said, “The 31st Asian Racing Conference to be held in Dubai will truly be a history-making event, being the first Asian Racing Conference to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

“I am sure that it will be an outstanding event and I look forward to joining His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the Emirates Racing Authority, in greeting the members of the Asian Racing Federation in Dubai next January.”

The Dubai World Trade Centre has been appointed as the conference secretariat for the 31st Asian Racing Conference, which will take place at the Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort in Dubai.

For regular updates on the Asian Racing Conference log on to the following link.

I spotted an interesting new multimedia site from the US the other day (created as an interactive news site for the Kentucky Derby). A series of podcasts and video segments are available for download to allow you to experience the lead-up to the races via a series of behind the scenes interviews, plus all the action of the Big Day. The crisp, clean layout of the site is also well worth noting.

Speaking of podcasts, here's another website offering them: The Lexus Equine Forum. Formerly known as “From the Backstretch to the Winner’s Circle”, the program is the longest continuously airing radio program on Thoroughbred Racing in America, spanning more than 17 years. You can listen to the show live on the radio, via the Internet (live streaming) or at a time that suits you via downloading onto your iPod.

Barbaro's tragic breakdown in last weekend's Preakness Stakes was a horrific outcome for both the horse and his connections and also to the millions who followed the race worldwide. Not surprisingly, the result has also prompted the time-old debate about racehorse soundness.

There was a very interesting article in the The American Eagle that people may be interested in. The article goes on to state:

"Arthur Hancock, who bred Kentucky Derby winners Gato del Sol and Fusaichi Pegasus and owned Derby winner Sunday Silence, said there's another factor at work: the use of legal drugs in thoroughbreds that race in the U.S.

Veterinarians commonly administer drugs such as the anti-bleeding drug Salix, formerly called Lasix, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone, commonly known as Bute, a pain reliever.

"We're breeding a chemical horse," said Hancock, who owns Stone Farm in Paris, Ky. "Nobody really knows the long-term effect of what those drugs will do. ... It's weakening the breed and it's dangerous".

This blog has just had its longest period of silence since it began 18 months ago but there is a reason for it. I've been offered a role at Summerhill Stud in South Africa so after 5 and a half years in Hong Kong, I will be moving to a new part of the world on June 30. This blog will then cease (Athlone's merchandising arm will continue however as we've spent way too many years building up relationships with the Chinese factories to let them go!) and you will also still see my name attached to the Dubai International Racing Club blog in future months. There will also be a blog attached to the Summerhill site in the coming months (perhaps not surprisingly!) - but the news will be South African rather than Australasian in focus.

Writing this blog has been an incredible journey - both in terms of knowledge I've acquired and also contacts - and I will miss it as it's been a refreshing medium to work from and I've enjoyed the skills it has taught me. Nevertheless, change is an inherent part of life and I am greatly looking forward to the next chapter in my life.

Once the next blog site is established I will post the URL for those who wish to look it up.

With best wishes
Katrina Partridge
Managing Director
Athlone & Associates Ltd.

Tony Arrold's article Horse trading at its very best in this week's Australian declares this year's Easter yearling sale was a "refreshingly honest sale for the thoroughbred industry":

"What has been hard to put a lid on in the bloodstock market for many years at this, and almost every other significant sale, is the rorts that have gone on that leave a public perception that something was not as it had been presented.

A classic example was a yearling sold privately prior to the sale, with an arrangement for that yearling to go into the ring and bring the top, or near top, price in an exercise of ego or a future investment with other parties.

The 2006 Australian Yearling sale was almost totally clean of such nonsense, although there are strong suspicions over one yearling at the top end of the market -- and there seems to be no secret among industry players as to what that was all about.

So this was not only the mother of all sales, it was an honest sale."

For intriguing stories of Inglis security staff "frog-march[ing] a person from the sale grounds" on Day 1 and (the perhaps more dubious claim) that "The Inglis company, like all other auctioneers, has to turn a blind eye to rorts and "arrangements" since it is its job merely to set up and and sell the horses for the vendor to the highest bidder, and expect the appropriate fee from the vendor for doing so -- rort or no rort" the full article is at the following URL.

Cyclone Monica didn't (fortunately) deliver on threats of matching Cyclone Tracy's December 1974 wrath but it still caused no end of chaos to scheduled Anzac Day events. The march, dawn service and mass at St Mary's Cathedral were all cancelled. The horse racing meeting at Fannie Bay and the cricket matches at World War II Strauss airstrip were also non-starters.

One hopes that the Darwin Cup Carnival (July 8 - 7 August) doesn't suffer a similar fate.

I was interested to see an investment website run a series of articles on the forthcoming Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale that commences this Friday in South Africa. What sparked my interest was the fact that the portal typically has absolutely nothing to do with racing.

The interviews with "Mike Rattray: Lammerskraal Stud (and Mala Mala Game Reserve)" and former New Zealand All Black Alan Sutherland (Somerset Stud, KwaZulu-Natal) that appeared on the MoneyWeb.com site are an interesting twist to the traditional coverage provided by the racing media given the audience are a business (investing) group. It's interesting marketing - although perhaps not that far different from a bloodstock summary in The Australian Financial Review on a Monday - and it will be interesting to see what comes of this approach in the future.

Postscrip: Another story went up on Friday as well - see following URL]

Speaking of South Africa, it's a country that has been dominating a few headlines of late: first Charles Laird's spending spree at Easter, then Irridescence's Group 1 win in Hong Kong last Sunday; and this week the second and third highest priced lots at the Easter Broodmare sale were none other than South African mares (3-times Group 1 winner Paraca who sold for $800,000 and another G1 winner Battle Maiden who sold for $625,000).

Fiona Carruthers has penned an interesting article titled Aussie racing a high-stakes gamble that looks (generally) at the Australian bloodstock industry and (more specifically) the success of three of the bigger players: Bob Ingham, Gerry Harvey and John Messara.

"You would expect them to be breaking out the Dom Perignon or better. After years of playing the mug's game three long-time racing tragedies – chicken-king Bob Ingham, retailer extraordinaire Gerry Harvey, and fast-moving 1980s stockbroker-turned-horse-breeder John Messara – have broken clear of the pack.

It was expensive but it paid off. Between them they now boast the biggest studs, the best stallions and the most broodmares – and have acquired the odd bloodstock sale.

"When all my foals are born after August 1 this year, I'll probably have 1000 horses," Mr Harvey says. "I haven't got a plan. I've grown so much in the past five years, I have to decide if I want to grow any more."

Pundits estimate that the studs run by Mr Ingham, Mr Harvey, and Mr Messara – along with the two powerful multinational studs, Irish-owned Coolmore and Dubai-funded Darley – have tied up more than 60 per cent of Australia's breeding business, worth a total of A$240 million (NZ$282 million) a year."

Full article at following URL.

A couple of 'people moves' of note:

Ged Parker has been appointed the new Stud Manager of Plaintree Farms in Queensland. Ged spent six years in New Zealand before relocating to Australia and was closely involved in the relocation of Westbury Stud from Cambridge to its new location near Karaka, Auckland, where a multi-million dollar showcase farm has been built from scratch.

Satish Seemar has become the fourth trainer in almost as many months for Sheikh Rashid's Millennium Stables in Dubai.

Tattersalls Ireland has appointed Sophie Hayley (whose experience includes time with both Inglis & Vinery Stud in Australia) as marketing manager.

Champion South African mare Irridescence may well have been deprived of a run in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free last month after a freak accident in the paddock before the race but today she turned the tables and led from barrier to post to win Hong Kong's $14m Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at odds of 5-1. The mare is trained by South Africa's legendary trainer Mike de Kock and was ridden by Weichong Marwing. Irridescence held on by a head from runner-up Best Gift, with Ouija Board the same distance back in third.

Of note, the "born or raised in South Africa" label attached to no less than 4 jockeys in today's race: Weichong Marwing (Irridescence), Felix Coetzee (Russian Pearl), Glyn Schofield (River Dancer), Douglas Whyte (Falstaff).

The 2006 stud fee for Platinum Scissors – full brother to the record breaking super-sire Redoute’s Choice – has been officially set by his owners at $22,000 (inc GST)

The unprecedented world-wide demand for yearlings by Redoute's Choice at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale last week saw them sell to a top price of $3 million and average an extraordinary $710,857. Thirty five yearlings sold grossed over $24 million.

Arrowfield announced today that the 2006 service fee for Redoute’s Choice will be increased to a record $275,000 (inc GST).

Platinum Scissors will stand this season at Plaintree Farms, a specialized equine breeding centre owned by Dr Pascoe and his wife, Heather. The stallion will arrive in Queensland with his own large broodmare band owned by Teeley Assets. The majority of the mares are already safely in foal to him.

“Platinum Scissors is an outstanding Group 1 winner of nearly a million dollars in his own right,” said Heather Pascoe of Plaintree Farms. “His five Group level wins include the classic AJC Champion Stakes and champion trainer Gai Waterhouse has said he was the best horse she ever trained. He proved a tough, sound campaigner through his entire career.”

Platinum Scissors stood his first season at Arrowfield in 2004, where he experienced difficulties with his fertility. Mr Yaseen later resumed full ownership in the stallion from former part-owners Arrowfield Stud.

The stallion returned to racing with Gai Waterhouse in 2005 and managed to defy the odds against stallions ever making a successful comeback from the breeding barn to the racetrack. The tough campaigner stepped up once again and scored at Group level, with a win in the Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2) second in the BATC Doomben Cup (Gr 1) and third in the Lord Mayors Cup (Gr 3).

Mr Yaseen – also the breeder of Redoute’s Choice and the man who retains a massive 50% share in the champion stallion – retired Platinum Scissors to stud for the second time after his successful campaign at the 2005 Brisbane Winter Carnival. The stallion was then sent to Victoria, where he covered a private broodmare band owned by Teeley Assets.

Since the foals conceived during his first season at stud have developed into such exceptional types, Mr Yaseen has now moved to seek the help of a leading Reproduction specialist to work with Platinum Scissors in an effort to improve his overall fertility.

“His foals are extremely good looking,’ said Mrs Iris O’Farrell, spokesperson for Teeley Assets, “and breeders keep telling us they can’t tell the difference between the foals by Redoute’s Choice and the foals by Platinum Scissors. They are almost identical.”

Mr Yaseen has appointed world-renowned Reproduction Specialist Dr David Pascoe to manage the stud career of Platinum Scissors. “The enquiry from breeders has been overwhelming, particularly since the stallion will serve a strictly restricted book,” said Heather Pascoe.

“When we heard of Dr Pascoe’s reputation in fertility, Mr Yaseen and I decided he would be the best person to work with in Australia,’ Ms O’Farrell said. “He is extremely committed and extremely passionate, and we like to work with people like that.”

Platinum Scissors hails from the extraordinary Best in Show family – considered one of the greatest stallion- producing families in the world – and, if the quality of his first weanlings is any indication, the young sire has also started his stud career in spectacular fashion.

The demand for yearlings by Redoute’s Choice yearlings saw buyers from all over the world battle it out for in the auction ring. They included Charles Laird of South Africa, Patrick Hogan (Cambridge Stud) and Rob McAnulty (NZ), Tim Stakemire (on behalf of Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum ) Gai Waterhouse, Tim Martin and Clarry Connors.

You know racing has become an obsession when you examine the back of a Sydney City Rail ticket and momentarily wonder why on earth they email morning trackwork reports to you ...

Today's Sydney Morning Herald’s Column 8 contained an interesting post: “On the fourth of next month, at 2 minutes and 3 seconds past 1am, the time and date will be 01:02.03, 04/05/06. It will take approximately 400 generations before such figures are repeated”.

(Whilst breeders will certainly hope I am proven wrong) I couldn’t help but absorb the numbers and ask myself if the “400 generations” argument could equally be applied to the final figures from this year's Easter Sale. A total of AUD$117,130,000 changed hands for 403 yearlings, a 29% increase on last year’s record gross despite the fact that the 2006 catalogue contained less horses while the average leapt a huge 40 per cent to $288,497. Can such record breaking figures spiral still higher in 2007?

Do other people remember the day when a seven figure yearling would produce a round of applause when it was sold? A total of fourteen yearlings made in excess of $1,000,000 this year compared to eight at last year’s sale. The crowds seemed so immune to the million plus results that when Lot 385 (the full sister to Shamekha - pictured left) sold for $2.2 million to the bid of Gai Waterhouse the only response apart from the congratulatory note from Jonathan Darcy was the rather bored tones of the person sitting in front of me who yawned and stretched and asked if any of his colleagues would care for a coffee!

The 3 days of selling saw all number of records broken including the highest price paid for a filly (the full sister to Alinghi fetching AUD$2.6 million) and also for a colt (AUD$3m paid for the Redoute’s Choice ex Deja Slew colt). The clearance rate was a very healthy 90%.

It was also a record few days for Yarraman Stud, a farm that can arguably be said to be one of the quieter players in the distinguished inner sanctum of the Hunter Valley. The Mitchell Brothers netted $10,750,000 for their 14 lots and they sold the top 3 lots as well which prompted Arthur Mitchell to comment "Every dog has its day". One of the enduring memories of this year’s sale was the sheer number of people around Newmarket who were heard to remark “good on them, Harry and Arthur really deserve to do well.”

John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud deserves a mention – not just for their exceptional catering and attentive staff at the stud’s marquee that gave a few city restaurants a run for their money - but also the stud’s superstar Redoute’s Choice who didn’t let anyone down, selling 6 of the 14 million dollar lots, and progeny selling for an average of $710,857. The stud was also leading vendor by aggregate selling 33 yearlings for $13,660,000. This ended the long reign of Coolmore Stud in this category, with the Jerry’s Plains farm running a close second with gross receipts of $12,830,000 for 41 lots sold.

Another Arrowfield stallion whose progeny caught the eye was Hussonet – a stallion whose progeny’s performances in South America have been described by many as “devastatingly good” (in fact one very good judge who not only owns a few Hussonet yearlings but is one of Australia’s finest vets – and who is not prone to excessive adjectives when he speaks) spent a good 20 minutes and no end of superlatives describing just how good one of his fillies is. Judging by similar stories from other industry players one can’t help but wonder if Arrowfield might well have another super star on its door step.

Boutique Highgrove Stud certainly had the formula right as well. They arrived with just 2 yearlings from Queensland - a Redoute’s Choice colt from Chief’s Crown mare Brilliant Crown, which sold for $950,000 on Wednesday, while Thursday’s millionaire was out of a Snippets full-sister to three stakes-winners.

“It’s been fantastic,” said Gilbert, echoing the sentiments of many vendors. “We only bought the two here and have sold beyond our wildest expectations.”

The Ingham family’s Woodlands Stud remained the sale’s top buyers, spending $13,110,000 on 27 yearlings.

In other news, 2 years ago another Athlone contributor - John Baxter - and I were standing with Peta and Allan Tilden from Boscobel Stud when they sold a grey Encosta de Lago colt for $40k. Richard Turnley was one of those rare vendors who didn’t believe in reserves for his stock. John O’Shea came rushing back to the stables after he had signed the sales docket and ran his eye yet again over the well framed and agreeably mannered colt.

“What’s wrong with him?” he asked Allan.

An experienced horseman and well known farrier, Allan can crush anyone’s hand using his most mild of hand shakes. He enjoys a good cup of coffee, is always willing to have a chat (unless he thinks you're an idiot), looks you straight in the eye when he speaks to you, and calls a spade a spade.

He laughed. “Absolutely nothing.”

Someone suggested to me on Wednesday evening that the guru of the 2004 sale was not the person with a blank cheque book who could buy whatever they wanted in the seven figure vicinity; rather it was the likes of John O’Shea who could see something in the grey Encosta colt from a small farm that no-one else deemed "commercial". And because that same $40k colt fleeced the field in this week’s Doncaster, rumour has it that Encosta de Lago’s stud fee is about to be increased to $150k. Me thinks a fair percentage of that increase should be sent to John O'Shea for vision that no-one else appeared to have that night.

Anyone who has queried South Africa’s economic resurgence or belief in the long term future of racing only needed to look at the money they spent this week to see that the country has set in train an extraordinary commitment to the upgrading of local bloodlines. Following his spending spree at January’s Magic Millions sale, Charles Laird (on behalf of prominent owner Marcus Jooste) broke the Australasian record for a colt sold at auction when he bid AUD$3 million for the Redoute’s Choice ex Deja Slew colt on Wednesday evening. He also paid a seven figure sum for a Giant’s Causeway colt and 3 lots later $550,000 for another colt by the same sire. Other purchases included fillies by Redoute’s Choice, Giant’s Causeway and Red Ransom and another colt by Royal Academy. Overall Laird purchased 8 yearlings for an aggregate of AUD$5,640,000 and average of AUD$705,000.

The number of international buyers played an integral role in the overall sale’s success and ensured that averages stayed high. Buyers were attracted from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, USA, Singapore and New Zealand. A few local buyers were heard to complain that they were priced out of the market. I certainly empathise with the dilemma, but Australia simply cannot continue to rewrite record books and accrue such incredible prices at these top end sales if they are not willing to look outside their local boundaries for investors. Be realistic – if you are going to stand a handful of stallions in the vicinity of $100k - $300k then equally you need the people who can afford to purchase them (and if there isn’t the return on investment for the breeder then who will stay in the market). You need more than local buyers to play at this level (remembering as well that a stallion may serve 150+ at those figures and yet only 15-30 yearlings may make it into Easter … that’s a lot of yearlings produced at extremely high service fees who have to find a sale that doesn’t produce the record stats we see twice a year at the January and Easter sales and also produce a strong return. It’s not an easy journey for many breeders to embark upon.)

I thought Inglis did a sterling job. The sale was well marketed, well attended, and seemed to offer all the extras that only Sydney can provide – perfect weather, so much black type in the catalogue that it provides a year’s re-reading for the pedigree enthusiasts, and a setting that I personally feel is unmatched anywhere in the world; perhaps the prices merely reflected the crowd’s appreciation of the same.

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Owners of the new Rockmount Lodge (formerly Vinery Australia's pre-training Centre) -Geoff Guest and Jill Kewish - purchased 2 lots at the Easter sale, a Galileo filly from Devil's Gold (dam of Bardego) [image 1 above] and a Fasliyev filly [image 2 - above] out of Dora Maar (an unraced Royal Academy half sister to Easy Rocking, Fairy King Prawn and Crevette). The Rockmount purchases - overseen by property manager Damian Murphy - reflect the market's renewed attraction to well bred fillies who offer significant residual value on the broodmare side.



Whilst the good news always makes the front pages there were a few vendors left wondering what had happened during the 3 days as well. Lot 58, a magnificently bred Johannesburg filly ex Soda Watch (dam of group winners Camena and Jai's Jump) offered by Lurline Lodge reared and fell (breaking her pelvis) whilst being prepared for the ring. Another colt (pictured above) by champion sire Sadlers Wells - Lot 375 - (a sire who commandeers one of the highest stud fees in the world) was sold by Coolmore Stud (as agent) for just AUD$25k.

Betcorp, the online sports betting operator has released half yearly figures that are more than double its first quarter earnings - US$3.6 million its latest net profit margin (total betting revenue up 58% to US$287m for the period).

Betcorp Limited (“Betcorp”) is an Australian public company and is currently the fourth largest wagering company by turnover listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:BCL). The Company changed its name in 2003 from Consolidated Gaming Corporation (‘’CGC’’) to Betcorp as part of a significant restructuring of its operations that included the acquisition of World Wide Tele-Sports (WWTS), a north American focussed operator of online sportsbooks. In early 2005, the Company acquired Sinsational Intertainment Inc an online sports betting and casino operator based in Antigua.

According to their website, the Betcorp management team was restructured in late 2004 and the new team is re-aligning the Group into a broadly based online gaming and entertainment operator, offering a comprehensive range of betting and gaming products to a wider geographical audience through the provision of new betting options in several languages and currencies.

New betting options and products include a wider range of sports for the global market, new casino games, poker and other card games relevant to an adult gaming audience, and games of skill suitable for single player or multi player activity.

It is the objective of the Group to appeal to a wide range of recreational clients and to expand the revenue base into less volatile and less seasonal gaming products. Income will be generated both by the traditional acceptance of bets as in sports and casino betting and from participation fees from poker, bingo and games of skill where the Group carries no risk.

Why am I telling you all this given that the company appeals to an audience wider than thoroughbreds ?

Well, it's always important to keep an eye on what the wider market is doing, particularly when gambling forms such an integral part of the thoroughbred racing equation.